Process and apparatus for waving human hair



Aug.2,193s. l WHBLEUELETL` 2,125;622

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR WAVING HUMAN HAIR Filed Ag. 5', 1955 5sheets-shea; 1

, Aug.v 2, 1938.

W. H. B-LEUEL ET'AL PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR wAvILNG 'HUMAN A113 FiledAug. 5. 19:55 s sheets-sheetV 2- ATTORN EY Aug. 2, 1938. w. H. BLEUEL ET AL 2,125,622

PROCESS' AND APPARATUS FOR WAVING IFIUMAN'HAgtJR` Filed Aug. 5, 1935 ssheets-sheet 5 d? is Patented Aug. 2, 1938 .PATE-T oFFicE PROCESS NDAPPARATUS FOR WAVING HUMAN HAIR' William H. Bleuel, Dormont, Pa., andSamuel Steek; Warren, Ohio; said Steek assigner to said BleuelApplication August 5, 1935, SeriahNo. 34,788 17 claims. (c1. 132-36)This invention relates generally to improvel ments in process andapparatus for Waving human hair, and more particularly for waving hairby the Croquignole and spiral methods.

This invention may be conveniently applied for waving hair by the methodwherein either elecf tricity or steam may be used as the source ofheating energy. For convenience in illustrating our invention we haveemployed the steam method. J

The present practice in both` methods is to gather the hair in strandsand chemically treat the same. A clamp is then applied adjacent theroots of each strand, and the latter is then snugly wound on a mandrel.

In the electricmethod a feltqstrip is placed yaround the hair so as toabsorb the vapors or condensate during the heating of the hairand toprevent the same from burning the patients scalp.

In the steam process the felt is lnot used as .the condensate iscollected and drained from the hair as it is formed.

In both methods the wound hair is enclosed in an individual container orbox. l:In the Croquignole method the mandrel is ordinarily held bytheclamp but in the spiral methodthermandrel is usually held in place bythe container;

In both methods precautionary measures must Vbe taken to avoid theburning of the patients scalp. Pads and protectors of various kinds aregenerally used in the art for this purpose. I-Iowever with all theseprecautions burns `frequently result, because of the many opportunitiesfor the escape of condensate or steam from the numerous containers onthe patients head. The

. average person requires theluseof from twentyfour `to thirty-sixindividual curls `on the head for-a permanentwave. Each curl is enclosedin a boxand there are several places through which nthe condensate `mayescape if it is improperly `installed-or if it is old` and worn.

, 4Again thequantity of apparatus-on afpa-tients head rendersVtheworkdiiiiclilt owing to congestion or lack ,of space. AIn thevelectric process each box requires two `wires to energize the heatingcoils. In the steam process one-,or two ftubes maybe required for eachbox throughwhich the steam and the condensate are carried. `This addsto-the congestion and oftencreates individual pulling strains on someofthe hair` strands, makingituncomiortable for the` patient.

One object of ourinvention is to provide, one,

or comparatively a few containers, each offwhich will hold apluralty of.strandsof=.hair ,while they are being waved, `thus avoiding the weight,congestion and pulling strains.

Another object is to provide a single container capable of carrying aplurality of hair strands, thereby enabling one to more effectivelypreventgg l the escape to the patients head.

Another object is to provide means for `cooling l the patients scalpduring the process-of waving l the hair.

individual electric heating elements or a general electric heatingelement may be used in place of steam. In each case only two Wires.l areneeded to carry the current to the patients head from whence it maybranch to the individual curls or the general heating element as thecase may be.

In the steam method only one or two :tubes areA required to carry thesteam and the condensate to and from the patients head, which'will `bedescribed in detail herein.

Another lobject is `to provide uid means for sealing the steam andspacing chambersof the hair waving apparatus.

Other objects, advantages and means to eiect the same will appear fromthe following descrip- Y tion.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein we. have illustrated a practicalembodiment of Athe principles of our invention, Fig. lis a sectionalView showing the application of our invention to hair waving apparatususing the Croquignole method with steam.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing thefscalp protector applied to apatients head.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical section'` taken `through one of the hairstrand necks yof the `scalp `protector and spacer.

Fig. 4 is a sectional View taken onwthe line 4--4 of Fig. 3.

=Fig. 5 is a broken perspective view on enlarged scale showingseveral ofthe rhairstrand necks of the scalp protector.

Fig. 6 is a broken perspective showinga strand Wound in the Croquignolemanner and clamped in place over one of the necks.

Fig. 'l is a view similar to Fig.- 1 but illustrating the spiral`winding of the hair. ,55

Fig. 8 is a view in horizontal section of the scalp protector shown inFig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a broken perspective of the scalp protector illustrating thearrangement of the spirally wound strands.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing a modification.

Fig. 11 is a rear elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view illustrating the channel spacer which thewave chambers show in Fig. 10.

Fig. 13 is a sectional View taken along the line I3-I3 in Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a sectional view showing the spacer cap illustrated in Fig.10.

Fig. 15 is a sectional View partly broken away and showing the passagesalso illustrated in Fig. 11.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to Figs. 1 to 8, 10represents the scalp line of the human head. The hair of the head isdivided into strands I I. Each strand is passed through a slot I2 of aspacer or heat insulating pad I3 which is preferably made of absorbentmaterial such as felt, Preferably individual pads are employed for eachstrand.

I4 represents a exible scalp protector, preferably made of rubber orsimilar material capable of withstanding a considerable amount of heatwithout endangering its elastic gripping qualities. This protectorcomprises a skull cap portion I having a scalloped rim I E which formsan exterior trough I'I where rim joins the skull cap portion. The rimmay have any desired shape. However we prefer the scalloped edge and thescallops are provided with snap fasteners I8.

These fasteners are used to hold superimposed apparatus in position. Thescallop edge prevents breaking of the turned up rim and facilitates theengagement of the fasteners.

'I'he skull cap portion is provided with a plurality of upwardlyextending walls forming necks I9 having throats or passages through thecap.` In the Croquignole method the necks are elongated whereas in thespiral method they are ordinarily tubular as in Fig.- 7. As shown inFigs. S-and 4 the throats in the necks I9 are provided with a series ofannular ribs 20 which may be oppositely staggered as shown to permittheir interengagement when the necks are compressed. Whether employedfor the spiral or Croquignole method these ribs assist in gripping thehair as demonstrated in Fig. 4. The kinking of the hair between theseribs prevents it from slipping therethrough when a slight amount ofpressure is used to compress the walls of the necks. This feature aidsin preventing undesirable strains on the hair strands.

The ribs 2U also retard and deflect any seepage of condensatetherethrough, thereby preventing scalpl burns.

The hair strands I I are wound on the mandrels 2|, which as shown inFigs. 1 and 6 are supported on `the clamps 22 whose jaws tightly graspthe lower portion of the necks I9, sealing the hair strands therein.

23 represents a hood or closure member which may be made of rigidmaterial such as aluminum,

arranged to t the groove I 'I of the scalp protector I4. The lip has aperimetral contour similar to that of the shape of the human head.However, the wall of the protector I4 is thickened adjacent the grooveII to compensate for slight uneven contours of the head. This permitsthe lip 26 of the hood to tightly fit in the groove I'I when the snapsI8 of the scalloped rim are turned up and secured to the buttons 28 onthe bowl 24.

The outer perimetral edge of the rim 25 is turned upwardly and arrangedto telescope within and snugly t the bowl. Different sizes of rims maybe employed to t different shapes of heads, yet the perimetral edges ofthese rims all nt snugly in the bowl 24.

The use of one bowl with several rims permits the operators to prepareseveral patients for a wave and only one bowl which may be secured tothe steaming apparatus is necessary since this bowl merely slides downover the rim and the scalp protector is snapped thereon.

The bowl 24 of Fig. 1 is provided with an annular groove 29 arranged toreceive the ring shaped steam header or tubing 30 provided with theports 3I which direct the steam at all angles within the chamber 2'Ibetween the hood 23 and the scalp protector I4. The lower or rearwardside of the ring 30 is provided with the outward extending neck 32 forconnecting it with a steam, air, or Water source designated bythe pipes33, 34 and 35 respectively, and which are controlled by the three wayvalve 36.

The lower or rearward portion of the hood is provided with the neck 31for connecting the chamber 2I to the waste drain pipe 38. Thispassageway serves to discharge the chamber 2'1 of all the condensate,water or other liquids. The top of they bowl 24 is provided with thevents 39 which permit the steam to circulate through the chamber 2l andescape therefrom.

The drain passageway 31 may also be employed both as the steam inlet andcondensate exhaust for the chamber 21 as shown in Fig. '7 and in themanner disclosed in our Patent No. 2,009,993 of August 6, 1935.

The apex of the bowl is provided with the opening 40 which may beenclosed with glass to form a window to observe the wound strands afterthe hood 23 has been positioned in place.

4I represents a direct tube which opens to the inner surface of thescalp protector 23. This tube may be divided by a longitudinal partitioninto two passages 42 and 43. When the apparatus is in place the patientsscalp may be cooled by air or water by virtue of the tube 4I. If air isemployed to cool the scalp an edge of the scalp protector opposite theports in the passageway 4I may be raised from the head to exhaust theair after it has passed over the scalp, or it may be exhausted out ofthe other passageway in the tube.

Referring particularly to Figs. 7, 8 and 9, wherein corresponding partsare designated by the same numerals used to describe similar parts shownin Figs. 1 to 6, the scalp protector of this modification is providedwith the tubular necks I9 to receive the hair strands II for the spiralmethod of waving hair, y

As described above the steam chamber 2'I shown Ving Fig. 7 is suppliedwith steam through .the passageway 31 at the rear of the apparatus. Thispassageway represents the lowest point in the steam chamber when theapparatus is in place, and the same port is preferably used forcontinuously discharging the condensate from the chamber during thesteaming operation.

ill() ing to the pipe 5D.

\ Thus after the scalp protector has beeny positioned on the head andthe necks I9 are closed, fluid may be circulated'into the tubular band45 causing it to expand and seal'the scalp protector to the head. Thefluid circulates by` escaping through the small holes 48l and into thespace between the scalp and the scalp protectorlfrom whence itdischarges out of the passagewayl49 and theltube 56. Bycontrollingthe-extent of the openings in the passageways 48 and 49dierentfluid pressures may be developed in the tube145 and under thescalp protector I4, thereby sealing the scalp protector to the headandproducing a pressure under the scalp protector to prevent seepage ofcondensate to theV head from thesteam chamber.

The fluid circulating. through the tube and on the patients scalp alsoinsulates the head from the steam chamber, thereby maintaining the scalpcool during the waving process.

In the spiral method the strands of hair I I are `wound on the spindles5I as shown indetail in Fig. 9. The hair itself supports 4the spindlead- `jacent the neck throughvvhich the strand passes.

The other ends of the spindles 5I may be `supported by the independentstands 52 or theymaybe arranged to be supported bythe clamps 53 onadjacent necks I9.

Referring now to Figs. 10 to 15, 54 represents a scalp spacer, a part ofwhich is `shown in detail in Fig. 14. Thislspacer comprises' the`flexible scalloped rim portion 155 provided-withthexsnap fasteners I8.The inner portion of saldrim vis provided with the integral annularhollow'band 56 which is supplied with the fluid inlet passage 5l at therear thereof to form a COnnectiOnJWith the pipe ileading to a sourceof'fluid. 59 represents discharge ports in the upper wall of-the `band56 which are located at .the front ofY the head. These discharge por-tsfunction --as inlet ports for the space 60 over Athe area of the scalp.The upper surface of the band 56 is shaped to form the trough 6I. 62representsv a fluid discharge port for exhausting 'the chamber i160through the drain pipe v63 near `the rear of `the spacer.

64 represents spacer head straps 'which a-re integral with the scalpspacer and are arranged-to support the same. As shown these straps-alsodivide the hair of the scalp into four parts preparatory to separatingsaid hair into the strands I I. These straps may be made like a net forseparating each strand. However, it is preferable to construct them asshown.

After the spacer 54 has been positioned on the head, the hair is dividedoff into the strands II to correspond to the necks I9 of the scalpprotector I4 which is similar to that shown in Figs. l and 2.

When the hair strands II are drawn through the necks I9 and wound aroundon mandrels ready for waving, as previously described, the spreaders 65may be placed over the scalp protector between the necks I9. Thesespreaders are preferably made of semi-hard rubber so that .tions 50, 58and 'I0 as shown in Fig. 11.

they, while conforming .to the curvature of lthe "sca1p,will effect thisspacing function. The ends of these spreaders are fastened together asat 65', making a group of said spacersinto a single unit.

. Ifthe clamps 22, shown in Fig. 5, are employed; I

`to Atightly clamp the hair in the necks I9 these `.spreaders 64 may bedispensed with as the upper erably made of soft rubber or other suitablemae i115 terial and comprises the cap portion 6l and the thick annularrim 68. The lower and rearward portionof said cap is provided with thepassageway 69 for connection to the pipe 'Ill which serves to `supplysteam to the chamber 2l and exhausti 20 condensate therefrom.

`The cap 66 is arranged to be snugly stretchedover the other apparatuson the head and the heavy rim 69 tightly compresses against the tubularband 56 thereby sealing the steam chamber25 21. The scalloped rim 55 ofthe scalp spacer andthe rim of the scalpprotector are then tightlysealed as an independent chamber on the patients head.

YThe rear of the scalp spacer rim 55 is slotted and arranged to overlaparound the pipe connec- 2135 The operation and function of the sealingband 11.56` is. similar to the band 45 shown in Fig. 7.

`It is thus evident that by using greater pressures in the space betweenthe scalp and the Ysteam chamber than the pressures in the steamsgchamber, the danger of scalp burns from the steam or its condensate isavoided. Again by `the use of a tubular pressure gasket surround- .ingthe head the escape of moisture, steam or its condensates to the face orneck of the patient isp 5 prevented.

The advantage of doing away with the use of individual boxes orcontainers for each lock` of hair is vvery marked. It aiects a saving oftime;

.rit is more convenient; and `the leakage of steami50 or its condensateis more easily prevented.

We claimzl. vIn apparatus for waving hair on the human l head thecombination of a scalp protector provided with a plurality of hollownecks thrcughti55 Awhich the strands of hair are drawn and clamped, `ahood forming a heating chamber withsaid scalp protector for `enclosing`the wound hair strands for treatment, and a fluid actuated band forY-sealirrgthe scalp protector to the head and to saidiitO hood 2.' Inapparatus for waving hair on the human head the combination of a scalpprotector provided vvith a plurality of hollow necks through l which the'strands of hair are drawn and clamped, 65 a hood forming a heatingchamber with said scalp protector for enclosing the wound hair strandsfor treatment, and means for circulating a fluid and maintaining itunder suflicient pressure between the scalp and the scalp protector 70to resist the passage of the heating medium to the scalp.

3. In a scalp protector the combination of a ilexible cap, a pluralityof necks on said cap, i said necks having openings therethrough forreceiving strands of hair, said protector being arranged to coact withan outer closure to provide a common heating chamber for waving thestrands of hair passing through said necks.

4. In a scalp protector the combination of a base portion, an upwardlyextending neck integralwith said base portion, said neck and said basehaving an opening therethrough for the passage of a strand of hair andribs on the inner walls of said opening to form a seal.

5. The combination of a scalp spacer having a fluid actuated sealingband, a scalp protector arranged to telescope over said sealing band,and a hood member arranged to telescope over said scalp protector and arim on said spacer arranged to fasten on said hood.

6. In a container for waving hair on the human head, the combination ofa scalp protector comprising a single piece of resilient material havinga plurality of seals through which strands of hair are drawn andclamped, and a closure member having its perimetral portion arranged toengage the perimetral portion of said protector to 'complete the closuremember.

7. In a container for waving hair on the human head, the Vcombination ofa scalp protector comprising a single piece of resilient material havinga plurality of seals through which strands of hair are drawn andclamped, a closure member having its perimetral portion arranged toengage the perimetral portion of said protector to complete the closuremember, and access means through the protector adjacent the lowermostportion thereof.

8. In a scalp protector for use in Waving human hair, a cap formed ofilexible material and provided with a plurality of aperturestherethrough for receiving strands of hair, said cap being arranged tocoact with a closure member to provide a common heating chamber forwaving the strands of hair.

9. In apparatus for waving hair on the human head, the combination of ascalp protector comprising a single piece of resilient material having abase arranged for admitting a plurality of strands of hair to be waved,and a common closure member for covering said strands and having itsperimetral portion arranged to engage the protector to complete theenclosure.

10. In apparatus for waving hair on the human head, the combination of ascalp protector comprising a single piece of resilient material having abase arranged for admitting a plurality of strands of hair to be waved,a common closure member for covering said strands and having its`perimetral portion arranged to engage the pro- `tector to complete theenclosure, and access means at the lowermost portion of the enclosurefor draining iluid therefrom.

11. In apparatus for waving hair on the human head, the combination of ascalp protector comprising a single piece of resilient material having abase arranged for admitting a plurality of strands of hair to be waved,a common closure member for covering said strands and having itsperimetral portion arranged to engage the protector to complete theenclosure, and access means at the lowermost portion of the enclosurefor admitting the heating medium and draining fluid therefrom.

12. In a scalp protector a single piece of resilient material formed toprovidev a longitudinally slotted seal arranged to engage opposite sidesof a strand of hair and a base extending laterally from the sides andwalls of the seal, the walls of the said seal converging at either endto provide uniform thickness longitudinally of the seal when a clamp isapplied thereto.

13. In a scalp protector the combination of a base portion, an upwardlyextending neck integral with said base portion, said neck and said basehaving an opening therethrough for the passage of a strand of hair andribs in staggered relation on the inner wall of the opening arranged tointerengage to form a seal.

14. A scalp protector formed of flexible material and arranged to beplaced on the head for use in waving the hair thereon, said protectorhaving spaced apart openings through which strands of hair may be drawnfor waving, and spacing means interposed at intervals between theprotector and the scalp to provide clearance for a circulating medium tocool the scalp.

15. In apparatus for waving hair on the human head, the combination of ascalp protector having a hollow neck through which a strand of hair israwn and clamped to be treated, means defining an enclosed space betweenthe protector and the scalp, and means for introducing and retaining afluid under pressure in said space to prevent hair treating agents frompassing through the protector to the scalp.

16. In apparatus for waving hair on the human head, the combination of ascalp protector having a plurality of hollow necks through which thestrands of hair are drawn and clamped, said scalp protector forming oneside of a heating chamber in which the wound hair strands are treated,and means dening an enclosed space between the scalp and the protectorfor maintaining a fluid under suicient pressure to penetrate any defectsin the protector and prevent the heating medium from having access tothe scalp.

1'7. In the waving of human hair by heating a coiled strand of the samein an enclosure, the method of preventing injury to the scalp whichcomprises providing an enclosed space between the wall of said enclosureand the scalp and maintaining a cooling iluid in said space undersufficient pressure to prevent the ilow of hot fluid from the enclosureinto said space.

WILLIAM H. BLEUEL. SAMUEL STEEK.

